“Whatever Conor is on won’t make the list” – UFC releasing own list of ‘prohibited drugs’ after USADA split has fans questioning legitimacy

The UFC allegedly split with USADA after the controversy surrounding Conor McGregor's return to the testing pool.

“Whatever Conor is on won’t make the list” – UFC releasing own list of ‘prohibited drugs’ after USADA split has fans questioning legitimacy

UFC's split with USADA has prompted the organisation to create its own 'UFC Prohibited list' (via Imago/ X)

The UFC’s split with USADA came out of nowhere. Recently, the UFC’s new Anti-Doping Policy was released on December 28th. This has led fans and commentators to excitedly dive into the specifics, hoping to comprehend the changes and intricacies in the promotion’s approach to guaranteeing a clean sport. The strategy has changed significantly, moving away from a centralized structure and towards a more fragmented approach. 

For various aspects of its drug testing operations, the UFC has chosen different entities: Drug-Free Sports International (DFSI) for sample collection, the Sports Medicine and Research Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) for sample processing, and the Combat Sports Anti-Doping Agency (CSAD), led by former FBI agent George Piro, for punishment administration. This is what was posted by combat sports lawyer Erik Magraken on X:

The UFC no longer use the WADA Prohibited List for anti doping. They have created their own and call it the “UFC Prohibited List”
Erik Magraken via X
YouTube video

The UFC has expanded its arbitration possibilities for drug testing breaches. This is particularly true with the addition of a 20% threshold over the Decision Concentration Level. This gives more leeway in addressing scenarios when an athlete’s samples fall within this limit.

FS Video

The revised policy is also more liberal regarding suspension time for some offenses. Notably, deliberate violations and tampering with evidence have lower minimum punishments, indicating a change from USADA’s tougher approach. Another degree of flexibility is provided by the UFC’s commitment to a minimum verbal reprimand for irresponsible infractions.

Fight fans react to the UFC creating its own list of ‘prohibited drugs’

The split with USADA was somewhat attributed to Conor McGregor. However, this was not proven and caused the split to sour. The UFC has chosen to pave its way, releasing a customized anti-doping list dubbed the “UFC Prohibited List.” The news elicited quick responses from fans and industry insiders, laying the door for a spirited discussion about the consequences of this game-changing development.

Fight fans react to UFC creating its own 'prohibited list'
Fight fans react to UFC creating its own ‘prohibited list’ (via YouTube)

Fan responses reflect a mix of curiosity, concern, and skepticism. Questions about the legitimacy of the list also surfaced. Some fight fans believe that UFC is creating a monopoly on the prohibited drug list. Others believed that a lack of centralized testing would create a very unfair environment in the UFC. Here are some of the reactions from fight fans:

The MMA community’s comments highlight the significance of the UFC’s decision and the possible issues it may pose to the integrity of anti-doping efforts in the sport. The growing debate illustrates the MMA community’s enthusiastic involvement in topics that affect the sport’s future.

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